Who is Cody Balmer? The Man Charged with Setting Fire to Pennsylvania Governor’s Mansion

Cody Allen Balmer, 38, from Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, became the subject of national news in April 2025 when he was charged with setting fire to the Pennsylvania governor’s mansion while Governor Josh Shapiro and his family were inside. The arson attack, which occurred in the early hours of the morning during Passover, caused extensive damage to the historic residence.

Legal Charges & The Arson Incident

So, who is Cody Balmer, and what led to such an extreme act? According to court documents, Balmer faces multiple severe charges, including attempted murder, terrorism, aggravated arson, assault of a protected individual, and burglary. Security footage from the scene allegedly shows Balmer breaking a window and throwing a Molotov cocktail into the mansion. Authorities arrested him shortly after the fire was extinguished. He was denied bail at his arraignment.

A Troubled Past

Balmer’s history reveals a pattern of troubling behavior even before the mansion fire. He was already scheduled to appear in court that same week for unrelated domestic violence charges. A 2023 police affidavit describes a disturbing incident where Balmer allegedly attempted suicide and physically assaulted his wife and stepson after a heated argument. The situation escalated when a child made an emergency call to authorities. Court records show that Balmer and his wife finalized their divorce in early 2025, and he was under a protection-from-abuse order.

Mental Health Struggles & Background

Balmer’s mother spoke publicly about her ongoing attempts to seek help for her son’s mental health struggles, claiming that his issues went largely unaddressed. Although Balmer denied having a mental illness during his court appearances, family members voiced concern about his refusal to take prescribed medications, which may have contributed to his actions.

For those asking, “Who is Cody Balmer?” he’s a man whose life is now marked by a deeply disturbing case of political violence, untreated mental health issues, and a troubled legal past in Pennsylvania.